Tara’s Story

Site created on June 19, 2009

Thank you for coming here to support Tara and our Family through this new and challenging period of our lives. As you most likely are already aware, Tara was diagnosed on June 4, 2009 with invasive Breast Cancer. We have set up this site to help keep our family and friends informed throughout treatment. Please sign the guest book and say prayer for Tara.


     My story began at 17yrs. of age with fibrocystic disease, which was watched each year by myself and the doctors. However, when you are not "40", mammograms do not come yearly. I would ask the doctor each year, "Should I have a mammogram?" so, I finally had one in 1999 which showed potential problems with a follow up 6mths later which showed to be normal at that time. After that, no more mammograms until 2006, again no problems he said. Two more years go by, everything seems fine, until now April 2009. Things don't seem right, pain, etc. Call the doctor, go in, better get a mammogram this time.
     Two weeks later I go in, one week later a phone call at work saying, you need to see a surgeon because your mammogram shows to be a CATEGORY 5 !!!! I can't believe this. The next morning, there we sit at the surgeons office and the following week, I am having a Ultrasound guided Mammotone at CHP. Then, the wait (which seems like years) although, realistically is only 48hrs. to find out the words you never wanted to hear that you have invasive breast cancer. After about 5min. of the doctor talking to me, I think she started talking to Ed, because I wasn't even listening anymore. I felt numb. 
     The following week was filled with an overwhelming amount of information that included Oncologists, Surgeons and lots of tests that we never even heard of. Decisions need to be made before you even have the chance to digest the fact that you have been given this illness to deal with. Needless to say, a roller coaster of emotions.
     At this point, we know my genetic studies have come back negative and we are waiting for a date for surgery. Hopefully, we will know sometime this week when it will be. Now that Ed has set up this website for me, I look forward to posting updates and having a place to share what is happening in my life as it seems to be changing moment to moment. 
     Thank you for all of the wonderful prayers and comments, please keep them coming. You have no idea what they do for me when the tough times sneak up on me.  Love, Tara.

Newest Update

January 12, 2023

Journal entry by Edward Doehne —

Today we witnessed a miracle…


Wow it’s been a long time since posting an update, the past few years have been nothing but a blur with deaths in the family, Covid changing our lives and some very large life changes with my family. The most important thing is that Tara has been healthy with no signs of cancer for almost 14 years now and not a day goes by that she does not take that for granted. She has been working full time and enjoying the thought of retiring and living a long life with me and ours girls. That was until about 10 months ago when Tara was having some digestive issues…

After going through a series of medical tests the past few months it was determined that there was a STRONG possibility that Tara may have pancreatic cancer, the only thing left to confirm the diagnosis was a biopsy of the lesions on the pancreas. This was another life changing moment for the both of us, the final MRI report said “the scans suggest a strong possibility of Pancreatic Malignancy, recommending a tissue sample biopsy to confirm”.

As you can imagine we were all very distraught, except for Tara…that’s because Tara lives by her faith in God. She was at peace with her life and the extra years god has already given her. She was the only one not concerned, we had all the tough conversations about what this will mean for our future and how we would approach this head on.

I am here today to tell you that the doctor went in to do the biopsy of the pancreas and there was nothing there to biopsy, the lesions that showed on all the scans were not there…they were GONE and the doctor had NOTHING to biopsy. The doctor insisted that she looked and looked and looked again, but nothing was there but a healthy pancreas! The lesions were gone and she saw no signs of any pancreas problems at all…

I am here today to tell you…we witnessed a miracle today and felt all my friends needed to know that, please take time to remember what is important in your life. 

Peace and love, Ed

P.S.
This is the second miracle we have witnessed after Tara survived Breast Cancer.
Read More of the journal titled "January 12, 2023"
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Tara Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $30 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Tara's site for one month. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Tara

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top